Chateau Cos d´Estournel - Les Pagodes de Cos 2021

WEINWISSER: "60 % Merlot, 36 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 3 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Petit Verdot. Delikates Bouquet, frisch gepflückte Schattenmorelle, Preiselbeersaft und zartes Veilchenparfüm. Am Gaumen mit butterweicher Textur, herrlicher Extraktfülle, fein körnig, bleibt dabei elegant und leichtfüßig, stützendes reifes Tannin und mittlerer Körper. Im gebündelten Finale rotbeerige Konturen, heller Tabak gepaart mit edler Salznote."

JAMES SUCKLING: "I like the currant, spice, white pepper and cedar aromas here that follow through to a medium body and pretty core of fruit with currants, tobacco, chocolate and cedar. 60% merlot, 36% cabernet sauvignon, 3% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Needs two or three years to soften."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "Aromatic blackberry fruits go along with black-spice scents. The wine's richness is lifted by great acidity to partner the blackberry flavors. Drink this structured second-label wine from 2026."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Flowers, currants, espresso, cocoa, smoke and licorice fill the perfume. Medium-bodied, lifted, soft, elegant, and polished, the wine is up-beat, spicy and chalky on the palate with peppery, chocolate-accented currants that round out the finish. The wine blends 60% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Drink from 2024-2040."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2021 Les Pagodes de Cos is a strong effort, offering up aromas of cassis, charcoal, dark berries and cigar wrapper, followed by a medium to full-bodied, sweet and fleshy palate that's quite rich and extracted, concluding with a saline finish. It's a blend of 60% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot."

JEB DUNNUCK: "Mostly Merlot but including 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2021 Pagodes De Cos has a juicy, medium-bodied, lively style that shows the fresher vibe of the vintage while bringing good depth of fruit and texture. Bright black cherries, currants, sappy tobacco, and some graphite/lead pencil notes all define the aromatics, and it has some classic Saint-Estèphe earth and spice. Raised in 25% new barrels and with 12.49% alcohol, drink this balanced, elegant Pagodes over the coming 10-15 years."

DECANTER: "Fragrant with soft spicing, vanilla, cedar, cinnamon, dark chocolate with bramble tones and blackcurrant leaf. Fruit feels well worked, I love the texture here - still quite straight and linear, all in one line, but with cool fruit nuances, svelte and sleek tannins and a lovely freshness. Also these spicy Cabernet markers too which are so appealing. Direct with chalky elements that are given lift by the quite present acidity, adding a vivacity to the overall flavour. Good complexity and broad structure. 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend."

WINE SPECTATOR: " Sleek and fresh, with a core of damson plum and red cherry notes that easily absorb the vintage's austere edge, letting savory and iris accents dart through prettily on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2030. 12,000 cases made."